For years I’ve been watching the craft stores turn simple ideas like scrapbooking into multimillion-dollar empires. This flies in the face of how I see crafting, which is rooted in low-budget living. After all, quilts were invented by pioneer women who repurposed worn-out clothing. In an economy where there isn’t a penny to spare, don’t spend money on someone’s big-brand products. I believe we can go back to that earlier model, when women turned to what was available in their homes, yards, farms or waste places to make the most wonderful creations.

As my Small Budget Gardening Pinterest board turns from summer gardening into fall harvest and the holidays, I’m finding more and more great craft ideas there and throughout the DIY/Craft section of Pinterest.com.

The ideas I choose are rooted in three things. First, they must be cheap or free to make, so you won’t be indentured to the crafts store. Second, it must be something anyone can make without special skills. Third, the idea must feature items commonly found in cities and suburbs, yet too often overlooked for their true potential.

My favorite tools are simple -- sturdy shears for harvesting plant parts. For creativity, use a pair of needle-nose wire cutters and a spool of strong, easy-to-bend wire. That’s all you’ll have to buy for a huge range of ideas.

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TIP: If you want rusty wire to blend into rustic creations, set a spool of untreated wire out in the sprinklers or rain for a week or two and let nature take its course.

Wreath time is right around the corner, but a foot-diameter Styrofoam core can cost a staggering $10 or more. One “Pinner” came up with an excellent alternative that opens the door to make all sorts of wreaths for pennies. Home-improvement stores sell gray foam covers for insulating pipes. They’re the same size and diameter as pricy foam-wreath cores at the crafts store. Insulation is perfect for inserting stems of dried plants, flowers, herbs, leaves and cones. The difference is that a 3-foot-long segment of insulation costs less than a dollar. Simply shape it into a circle and duct tape end to end for the start of a beautiful wreath. Second alternative from another Pinner: repurpose last summer’s pool noodle.

Natural twig picture or mirror frames are beautiful rustic gifts high-priced at interiors stores. Every time I pin a new example of those that are easy to make, I get inspired all over again. As the leaves fall, suddenly all the twigs and runners are exposed for easy pruning. Cut the sizes you have in mind and lay them out on the floor or an outdoor concrete slab to dry straight. For wreaths, wind them while still green and wire into a solid ring to dry on a flat surface.

This time of year is perfect for a long walk, when the keen-eyed crafter will spot plenty of opportunities for free materials. Roadsides are a perfect place to pick up pine cones and seed pods that will eventually be crushed by vehicle tires. Wayside drainage ditches will be packed with weeds such as teasel, which is an unwanted invasive that produces really striking seed heads. Take notes of what you find and where it’s located so you can return with a bag to gather your free harvest.

Find all these and many other affordable ideas at Pinterest.com/maureengilmer/small-budget-gardening/. Or just type “maureengilmer” into the Pinterest.com home page. New ideas are added every day. As the financial strain of the holidays approach, use your own ingenuity to save. Recycle, repurpose and rethink for home-crafted holiday decor and gifts that family and friends will love.